Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
I was spared an answer, which might have led to me losing my job mere minutes after starting it, by the opening elevator doors as we arrived on the ground floor.
We stepped out into the warm Sydney sun, and I regretted my choice of dress at once. It was sweltering, and I could feel an annoying droplet of sweat make its way down my thigh. “Smile,” Xavier said under his breath, his own lips pulling into a million-dollar smile.
“What?” I blurted. “My job description didn’t mention that I had to smile.”
Xavier chuckled, still with that strange smile on his face, even when he spoke. “You’re not smiling for me. Paparazzi are trailing after us. I thought you’d prefer to have your smiling face in every tabloid of the city and not a scowling one.”
My eyes grew wide as I glanced around us.
“The deer-in-headlights look will give the assholes a hard-on thinking about all the ridiculous headlines that can go with it.”
I quickly masked my face into a pleasant smile, but Xavier shook his head, holding open the door of a black Maserati SUV. Before I got in, he leaned down to my ear, whispering. “Too late. They’re going to use your worst expression because it’ll give them more ammunition against me.”
I sank down into the red leather seat, still considering Xavier’s words as he closed the door. My eyes scanned our surroundings and finally I spotted a guy with a camera.
Xavier slid into the driver’s seat and started the car. The roar of the engine made me jump. As we drove past the paparazzi, Xavier waved at the man with a twisted smile.
“Maybe you shouldn’t provoke the press if you want to be portrayed in a more favorable light,” I said curiously.
“They don’t want to portray me in a favorable light. Bashing me is their favorite pastime.”
“And you’ve made it your mission in life to provide them with enough ammunition?”
Xavier flashed me a grin. “I give them what they want, and in turn they keep me in the spotlight. Bad press is better than no press, or what do you marketing people always say?”
I wrinkled my nose. That was one of the lines I’d always resented. If you were only out for attention it might hold true, but if you wanted to make a worthy impact it was the wrong approach. “I prefer good news. And you are in the spotlight even without providing gossip. You are a star. You don’t need bad press.”
“The press will report about me whether I want it or not. My only option is to steer their attention in a certain direction.”
His voice held a hint of protectiveness, and I wondered why that was. Why was he turning himself into such a bad boy of the rugby scene?
“Will they start trailing me as well?” I asked quietly, my fingers folding over my stomach to hide the small bacon rolls there. I knew how unflattering photos of me could end up.
Xavier shot me a searching look. “Probably. In the past my assistants provided entertaining gossip material.”
I flushed, remembering that he’d landed in bed with almost every single one of his assistants. “I don’t intend to give them any kind of gossip material, Xavier,” I said firmly.
“I know,” Xavier said with a chuckle. “Your sister and Connor told me you were responsible and not out for attention. A nice change from my previous assistants.”
“Why did you choose assistants who only wanted to work for you so they could gather media attention?”
“I chose my previous assistants based on their looks.”
Ouch. I cringed inwardly at what that implied. I definitely hadn’t been chosen because of my appearance.
Xavier’s apartment was absolutely breathtaking. A duplex situated in a residence in the heart of the Rocks with a view over the harbor and the harbor bridge. My mouth was probably hanging open as I walked into the loft-like living area. The herringbone parquet was the color of sun-bleached driftwood, and an open kitchen with fronts like Carrara marble spread out on the right side. Gray modern couches, white marble tables and futuristic metal lamps made the room appear like it had been copied out of an interior design magazine. I moved closer to the window and stared at the panorama.
It must be amazing to see the city lights, especially the harbor bridge, at night. But unless I worked late, I’d never get to see it.
Xavier stepped up beside me. “The view is why I bought it.”
“It’s breathtaking,” I breathed, unable to tear my eyes away. Xavier’s gaze finally made me take a step back and clear my throat. “Perhaps you can explain to me what I need to know and what exactly you expect of me.” I took out a pen and a notebook from my purse.
Xavier cocked an eyebrow. “No fancy iPad to track everything?”